House Links

House

The DES House System is designed to encourage
all students from Reception to Sixth Form to develop a sense of belonging and
pride in their house by participating in extra-curricular activities, ranging from
sporting to academic events to drama, music and art. Some events will involve
the whole school and others will be more selective.

There are opportunities to take part in collaborative team events
as well as in individual tasks.

It is hoped that a good-natured rivalry will be achieved to see who will be the
overall winner of the year. Points towards this prize will be accumulated from
various competitions throughout the year.

There is also the incentive of winning the termly Shield, which gives all houses
the chance at winning in the first 2 terms regardless of who wins the annual
House Cup.

The system provides everyone with the opportunity to join in, irrespective of
ability. All students can offer support and encouragement even if they are not
directly taking part.

The vertical structure across Key Stages and ages allows students to engage in
activities with others outside their own year group.

Role models set by senior members are vital in helping perpetuate the ethos of
the system.

Belonging to a House helps foster a sense of team spirit, self-worth and
cohesiveness in all students.

Positive relationships are formed across all year levels and this forms an
extra layer in the schools House system.

Students and their siblings are placed into one of four Houses on joining the
school.